Page 98 of Deceiving an Earl
Philip finally looked at him. The eye was starting to go from red to purple and blue.
“How do you feel about her marrying Needham?”
Oliver paused, not expecting that question and certainly not prepared for it. “If she’s happy then I’m happy for her.”
Philip seemed to study his face, so Oliver tried to keep it impassive, tried to keep his true feelings hidden.
“The truth is, Philip, it doesn’t matter what I think. I have no say in what your mother does.”
“But aren’t you incensed that Needham is getting away with murder?”
How the hell did Philip know about that? Unless word was already out. “This is the way things work,” Oliver said, carefully choosing his words. “Needham could very well be telling the truth when he says he didn’t know that his assistants were murdering people to provide him with bodies for autopsies.”
Philip snorted, and Oliver caught a glimpse of the old Philip in his look of disgust.
“Needham claims he was paying them more than the normal price because they were good at what they did and they never disappointed. He says that’s all he knows of it,” Oliver said.
“I think he’s lying.”
Oliver did, too, but he was no match against the justice system, and in all honesty the justice system leaned toward the nobility and gentry. “His reputation is protecting him.”
“That’s bollocks. That’s not right. You and I both know that he was involved, and my motherstillwants to marry him.”
Oliver sighed. “I know it seems unfair, but you have to remember that Needham could be telling the truth. If he is telling the truth and he is convicted, an innocent man, a brilliant man, could be unjustly hanged.”
Philip shook his head. “He’s not innocent.”
“Even if both of us truly believe he’s guilty, it’s still up to your mother to decide how to proceed.”
It seemed unfair to Oliver, too, but he had the maturity to see the situation as it was and to realize that he was helpless against it.
“Did you love her?” Philip asked.
Good God but the lad was surprising him at every turn.
“I know that you knew each other back then. Back before I was born.”
Ashland’s words came back to haunt Oliver. Oliver tried to forget that conversation because, just like Needham, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn’t pursue it. He couldn’t ask Ellen.
“I did,” he admitted. “Very much. But then she was betrothed to your father.”
Philip was watching him closely, almost obsessively, and Oliver shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
“And now she’s betrothed to Needham,” Philip said.
Oliver cleared his throat, hating the harsh reality, but also liking that they were being honest with each other. “Yes. Now she’s betrothed to Needham.”
“He doesn’t like me.” Philip fingered his swollen eye and Oliver suddenly had a bad feeling.
“Did Needham do that to your eye? Did he hit you, Philip?”
Philip quickly dropped his hand to his lap. “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters.”
“If Needham hit you then your mother needs to know.”
“She saw him do it.”
Oliver stilled. “What?”
